Photographing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A photographic apparatus is described which outputs a photographed image immediately to paper by a simple operation. The photographic apparatus includes an electronic camera for electronically acquiring an image, a connection base for removably connecting the electronic camera thereto, the connection base having a function of reading out image data from the electronic camera while the camera is connected thereto, and a printing section for acquiring the image data from the connection base and outputting an image based on the image data to paper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a photographic apparatus for outputtingan image photographed using an electronic camera such as a digitalcamera to paper.

[0003] 2. Related Prior Art

[0004] In recent years, a solid state imaging apparatus which makes useof a CCD unit has exhibited remarkable increase in resolution andstorage capacity, and efforts are directed to development of anelectronic apparatus for electronically fetching an image such as anelectronic still camera or a digital video recorder.

[0005] In such a situation as described above, the electronic stillcamera exhibits such improvement that it is as good as that using silversalt film, and the electronic still camera is utilized not only forgeneral use but also for professional use thanks to a data holdingproperty and facility in after-processing in addition to the improveddefinition.

[0006] However, when an image is electronically fetched using such anelectronic camera as described above, in order to output the image topaper, it is necessary to start up a computer to which a printer isconnected and transfer the image data to the printer through thecomputer.

[0007] Thus, the electronic camera has a problem in that, in order tooutput image data to paper, a computer must be started up in thismanner, and the image data cannot be outputted immediately.

[0008] Further, in order to allow image data to be outputted directly topaper without intervention of a computer, it has been proposed toprovide an electronic camera with a printer controlling function or toprovide a printer with a function of fetching image data from anelectronic camera.

[0009] However, provision of an electronic camera with a function ofcontrolling a printer not only disturbs miniaturization or ease of useof an electronic camera but also invites an increase in cost. On theother hand, if a printer is provided with a function of fetching imagedata from an electronic camera, then an increase in cost of the printeritself is invited.

[0010] Further, since an electronic camera and a printer are connectedto each other by a cable, each time it is intended to perform outputtingto paper, connection and disconnection of the cable must be performed.Thus, cumbersome operation is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide aphotographic apparatus which can output a photographed image immediatelyto paper by a simple operation.

[0012] In order to attain the object described above, according to thepresent invention, there is provided a photographic apparatus, includingan electronic camera for electronically acquiring an image, a connectionbase for removably connecting the electronic camera thereto, theconnection base having a function of reading out image data from theelectronic camera while the camera is connected thereto, and printingmeans for acquiring the image data from the connection base andoutputting an image based on the image data to paper.

[0013] In the photographic apparatus, the electronic camera is removablyconnected to the connection base, and image data read out from theelectronic camera is acquired by the printing means through theconnection base and outputted to paper by the printing means.Consequently, when photographing is to be performed, the electroniccamera can be removed from the connection base to acquire an image, butwhen the acquired image is to be outputted to paper, the electroniccamera can be connected to the connection base to establish electricconnection between the electronic camera and the printing means to allowthe printing means to perform such outputting of the image data topaper.

[0014] Consequently, the photographic apparatus is advantageous in thatan image photographed by the electronic camera can be outputted to paperwithout using a computer and can be outputted immediately after it isphotographed. The photographic apparatus is advantageous also in that,since transfer or image processing of image data acquired by theconnection base is performed, there is no necessity to provide suchfunctions to the electronic camera or the printing means, andconsequently, simplification and reduction in cost of the electroniccamera and the printing means can be achieved.

[0015] The above and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following descriptionand the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like referencesymbols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of aphotographing apparatus to which the present invention is applied;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an electronic camera of thephotographing apparatus of FIG. 1 removed from a connection base;

[0018]FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the electronic camerashown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the front side and the rear side,respectively;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connection base shown inFIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an inputting/outputting section ofthe connection base of FIG. 4;

[0021]FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic sectional views of the connectionbase of FIG. 4 taken along different lines;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of theconnection base of FIG. 4;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of aprinting section shown in FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a manner in which aphotograph for certificate is taken; and

[0025]FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are schematic sectional views illustratingdifferent stages of printing operation of the printing section shown inFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a photographing orphotographic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Thephotographing apparatus is generally denoted at 1 and includes, asprincipal components thereof, an electronic camera 2 in the form of adigital still camera, a connection base 3 for removably receiving theelectronic camera 2, and a printing section 4 for acquiring image datafrom the electronic camera 2 through the connection base 3 andoutputting an image based on the image data to paper.

[0027] The electronic camera 2 is connected to an adapter 5 whichincludes a grip G for being gripped by a user of the electronic camera2, and is mounted on the connection base 3 together with the adapter 5.The connection base 3 and the printing section 4 are electricallyconnected to each other by a cable C1 so that image data received by theelectronic camera 2 can be transferred to the printing section 4 throughthe connection base 3 and the cable C1. It is to be noted that, whilethe connection base 3 in FIG. 1 is shown placed on the printing section4, the connection base 3 may be placed at any location where it is easyfor the user to use the electronic camera 2.

[0028] If the adapter 5 and the electronic camera 2 are mounted onto theconnection base 3, then terminals (not shown) provided on the connectionbase 3 and terminals (not shown) provided on the adapter 5 are broughtinto contact with each other to establish electric connection betweenthe connection base 3 and the adapter 5 without the necessity for anyindependent wiring line.

[0029] The connection base 3 has a function of loading image data fromthe electronic camera 2, image processing functions (decompression ofcompression data, variation of the image size, color tone adjustment,instruction of variation between white and black and so forth), acontrolling function for the printing section 4 (data transfer to theprinting section 4, setting of a divisional printing mode, printingcontrol and so forth), and a function of charging a battery for theelectronic camera 2.

[0030]FIG. 2 shows the electronic camera 2 in a condition wherein it isremoved from the connection base 3. In particular, when photographing isto be performed or in some other case, the user will remove theelectronic camera 2 from the connection base 3 together with the adapter5 and grip the grip G of the adapter 5 to acquire an image of an imagingobject using the electronic camera 2. It is to be noted that, while theelectronic camera 2 and the connection base 3 are shown connected toeach other by a cable C3 in FIG. 2, if only photographing is performed,then no such connection is required.

[0031] A shutter button 51 to be used for a shutter releasing operationof the electronic camera 2 is provided on the grip G of the adapter 5 sothat photographing can be performed while the electronic camera 2 isheld with certainty by the user. Further, a flash shoe 52 is provided onthe adapter 5 so that a flash apparatus (not shown) as a separate membermay be attached to the adapter 5. A female thread (not shown) formounting a tripod on the adapter 5 is formed in a lower wall of theadapter 5.

[0032] A battery for the electronic camera 2 is accommodated, forexample, in the grip G of the adapter 5 so that, when the adapter 5 ismounted on the connection base 3, the battery is charged automaticallyfrom the connection base 3.

[0033] The electronic camera 2 and the adapter 5 are secured to eachother, for example, by means of screws, and the shutter button 51 andthe flash shoe 52 of the adapter 5 and the electronic camera 2 aresynchronized with each other over a cable C2.

[0034] The electronic camera 2 and the connection base 3 can beconnected to each other by the cable C3 so that, for example, when theadapter 5 is attached to a tripod and photographing is performed withthe position of the electronic camera 2 fixed, image data can betransferred from the electronic camera 2 at the position to theconnection base 3 over the cable C3.

[0035] It is to be noted that, even if the electronic camera 2 and theconnection base 3 are not connected to each other by the cable C3, ifthe electronic camera 2 is mounted onto the connection base 3 togetherwith the adapter 5 after photographing is completed, then electricconnection is still established so that image data stored in theelectronic camera 2 can be transferred in response to an instructionfrom the connection base 3.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the electronic camera 2 isshown in perspective views as viewed from the front side and the rearside, respectively. The electronic camera 2 uses a CCD unit (not shown)to fetch image data of an imaging object and stores the image data intoan internal memory. In particular, the electronic camera 2 can fetch animage through a lens L. The lens L is mounted on a mount M which matcheswith the C mount, and can be exchanged as required.

[0037] A plurality of connection terminals T are provided on an upperwall of the electronic camera 2 so that the electronic camera 2 can beconnected to the adapter 5 (refer to FIG. 1) or the connection base 3(refer to FIG. 2) therethrough by means of a cable.

[0038] A display unit 21 of the liquid crystal type is provided on arear wall of the electronic camera 2 so that an image viewed forphotographing or an image already taken and stored can be displayed toallow the user to confirm a photographing condition. It is to be notedthat an image to be displayed on the display unit 21 may be displayed onan external display unit (not shown) connected to the connectionterminals T.

[0039] Further, the electronic camera 2 has an interface (RS-232C, SCSI,IEEE 1394 or the like) for transferring fetched image data therethrough.

[0040]FIG. 4 shows the connection base 3. The connection base 3 has arecess 31 provided on the top thereof so that the adapter 5 (refer toFIG. 1) on which the electronic camera 2 (refer to FIG. 1) is mountedcan be received thereon.

[0041] When the adapter 5 (refer to FIG. 1) is received in the recess31, it is fixed to the recess 31 by means of pawls (not shown) providedin the recess 31. A button 32 for releasing the adapter 5 thus fixed bythe pawls is provided on the connection base 3.

[0042] Further, an inputting/outputting section 33 for inputting varioussetting information therethrough and displaying various settingconditions thereon is provided on the connection base 3. FIG. 5 showsdetails of the inputting/outputting section 33.

[0043] The inputting/outputting section 33 includes buttons (keys) forinputting various setting information therethrough and a display panelfor displaying a setting condition thereon. The inputting buttonsinclude a menu button B1 for selecting a menu, arrow mark buttons B2 forselecting or changing setting instructions, a determination button B3for determining an inputted instruction, a button B4 for designating awhite/black mode, a button B5 for designating divisional printing, and aprinting button B6 for executing printing. Further, as the display, aliquid crystal panel P is provided.

[0044] When the photographing apparatus 1 is in a state in whichprinting is possible, the liquid crystal panel P provides a two-stagedisplay wherein printing setting of a white/black mode or a color modeis displayed on the upper stage while a divisional setting number isdisplayed on the lower stage. Further, if the menu button B1 isdepressed, then a setting menu is displayed in the form of characters onthe liquid crystal panel P. The user will operate the character displaywith the arrow mark buttons B2 to select a desired menu, and when theselection is to be determined, the determination button B3 will bedepressed.

[0045] Further, an indicator I formed from a lamp is provided on theinputting/outputting section 33. The indicator I indicates whether ornot image data is being transferred from the electronic camera 2 (referto FIG. 1). For example, while transfer of image data from theelectronic camera 2 is proceeding, the indicator I is lit, but whiletransfer of image data is not proceeding, the indicator I is not lit.When the indicator I is not lit (when transfer of image data is notproceeding), the electronic camera 2 can be removed from the connectionbase 3.

[0046]FIGS. 6A and 6B show cross sections of the connection base 3. Inparticular, a board 3 a on which a circuit is formed is accommodated inthe connection base 3 as shown in FIG. 6A, and one end side of each ofcontact pins 3b is connected to the board 3 a. The contact pins 3 b aredisposed such that the other end sides of the contact pins 3 b projectfrom an inner wall of the recess 31.

[0047] If the adapter 5 is fitted into the recess 31 of the connectionbase 3 as shown in FIG. 6B, then contacts 5 a of the adapter 5 and theother ends of the contact pins 3 b are brought into contact with eachother. Consequently, image data acquired by the electronic camera 2(refer to FIG. 1) can be sent from the contacts 5 a of the adapter 5 tothe board 3 a of the connection base 3 through the contact pins 3 b.

[0048]FIG. 7 shows an internal construction of the connection base 3.Referring to FIG. 7, the connection base 3 includes an interface driver301 (for example, RS-232C) with the electronic camera 2, anotherinterface driver 302 (for example, IEEE 1284) with the printing section4, a button-LED section 303 including inputting buttons and indicatingLEDs, an LCD module 304, a DRAM 305, a flash ROM 306, and a CPU 307. TheCPU 307 and the other components are connected to each other over a databus and an address bus.

[0049] In the connection base 3 having such a construction as describedabove, an image data transferring instruction is provided to theelectronic camera 2 through the interface driver 301 which matches with,for example, the RS-232C. Meanwhile, image data transferred from theelectronic camera 2 is acquired through the interface driver 301 andcumulatively stored once into the DRAM 305.

[0050] The image data stored in the DRAM 305 is read out in response toa request from the printing section and transferred to the printingsection over the interface driver 302 which matches, for example, theIEEE 1284.

[0051]FIG. 8 shows an internal construction of the printing section 4.In particular, the printing section 4 includes, as principal componentsthereof, an interface driver 401, an interface controller 402, a memorycontroller 403, a DRAM 404, a color pallet 405, a masking ROM 406, aprogram ROM 407, an EEPROM 408, and a system CPU 409.

[0052] Image data outputted from the connection base 3 side is read intothe printing section 4 through the interface driver 401, which matcheswith a predetermined interface (for example, the RS-232C, SCSI, IEEE1284 or IEEE 1394), and the interface controller 402, and is stored intothe DRAM 404 under the control of the memory controller 403.

[0053] When outputting of image data to paper is to be performed, imagedata (for example, R, G, B data) read out from the DRAM 404 under thecontrol of the memory controller 403 is converted into data for printing(for example, C, M, Y data) through the color pallet 405 and isoutputted to a print board (PRT BOARD) through the masking ROM 406.

[0054] Subsequently, a photographing procedure using the photographingapparatus of the present embodiment is described. First, the userremoves the adapter 5 and the electronic camera 2 from the connectionbase 3 shown in FIG. 1. Such removal can be preformed by a singleoperation of depressing the button 32 shown in FIG. 4.

[0055] Then, the user will grasp the grip G of the adapter 5 and performphotographing of an image object using the electronic camera 2. FIG. 9schematically illustrates a manner in which a photograph for certificateis taken. In this instance, the electronic camera 2 is located at aposition spaced by a distance d (for example, approximately 1.5 m) froma person acting as an image object. In this instance, a tripod may beattached to the adapter 5 to fix the position of the electronic camera2.

[0056] Here, where the electronic camera 2 is of the manual focus andmanual diaphragm type, in photographing in a flashlight emitting mode,first the diaphragm is kept open so that focusing may be performedreadily, and then, after focusing is completed, the diaphragm isadjusted manually in accordance with a required flashlight amountimmediately prior to release of the shutter.

[0057] Since the display unit 21 is provided on the rear wall of theelectronic camera 2, an image of the imaging object displayed on thedisplay unit 21 can be visually observed by the user, and the focusingdescribed above is performed by the user referring to the displayedimage. Further, an automatic exposure adjustment mechanism (AE) operatestill an instant at which the shutter is released, and consequently, thedisplay on the display unit 21 does not become dark upon focusing.

[0058] It is to be noted that, where the electronic camera 2 is of thetype wherein the diaphragm operates in association with the shutter, nomanual diaphragm operation is required.

[0059] After such adjustment as described above is performed, the userwill depress the shutter button 51 provided on the grip G of the adapter5. Alternatively, a shutter operation may be performed using an infraredremote controller or a timer may be used to perform a shutter operationafter lapse of a predetermined time.

[0060] In response to the depression of the shutter button 51, an imageof the imaging object is fetched into the electronic camera 2 and storedinto the internal memory of the electronic camera 2.

[0061] The image stored in the memory can be displayed on the displayunit 21 (refer to FIG. 3) in response to a key operation of theelectronic camera 2 and consequently can be confirmed by the user. It isto be noted that this operation may be performed alternatively by anoperation of a button of the connection base 3 side with the electroniccamera 2 mounted on the connection base 3.

[0062] Then, printing of the photographed image is performed. In orderto perform such printing, one of the images cumulatively stored in thememory which is to be printed is selected. This selection may beperformed by an operation of a key of the electronic camera 2 or by anoperation of a button on the connection base 3 side after the electroniccamera 2 is mounted onto the connection base 3. It is to be noted thatmounting of the electronic camera 2 onto the connection base 3 can bepreformed by a single operation of placing and pushing the electroniccamera 2 (with the adapter 5 attached thereto) into the recess 31 (referto FIG. 4) of the connection base 3.

[0063] After an image to be printed is selected, selection of a mode inwhich printing is to be performed (a divisional number, a color orwhite/black) and setting of a color tone, a sharpness degree and soforth) is performed by operations of the buttons of the connection base3, and then the printing button B6 (refer to FIG. 5) is depressed.

[0064] When the printing button B6 (refer to FIG. 5) is depressed, acommand is sent from the connection base 3 to the electronic camera 2,and image data to be printed is read out from the memory of theelectronic camera 2.

[0065] Image data stored in the memory of the electronic camera 2 iscompressed data (for example, JPEG compression). Thus, the image dataread out is decompressed by the connection base 3 and stored into thebuilt-in DRAM 305 (refer to FIG. 7).

[0066] Thereafter, the connection base 3 performs image processing inaccordance with the contents of adjustment set in advance (a color tone,a sharpness degree and so forth), a divisional number, and selection ofa color mode or a white/black mode, and transfers image data obtained bythe processing to the printing section 4 (refer to FIG. 1). It is to benoted that part of such image processing may be performed by theprinting section 4 side by providing such instruction from theconnection base 3 to the printing section 4.

[0067] After the image data is transferred to the connection base 3, theelectronic camera 2 can be removed from the connection base 3 to performsome other photographing even before the printing is completed. Thetiming at which the electronic camera 2 can be removed can be conveyedto the user by a display of the indicator I (refer to FIG. 5) providedon the connection base 3.

[0068] The printing section 4 (refer to FIG. 1) to which the image datahas been transferred can perform printing processing to paper based onthe image data.

[0069] Here, a printing operation of the printing section 4 is describedwith reference to cross sectional views of FIGS. 10 to 13. The printingsection 4 may be a thermal sublimation type printer and includes, asprincipal components thereof, a paper tray 411, a platen 412, a ribboncartridge 413, a head 414 and a head motor 414 a as shown in FIG. 10. Inthe stage of preparation for printing, the head 414 stands by at aposition spaced from a ribbon 413 a of the ribbon cartridge 413.

[0070] If a printing instruction is sent from the connection base 3(refer to FIG. 1) and image data is transferred to the printing section4, then a paper sheet 411 a is supplied from the paper tray 411 and fedto the platen 412 under the guidance of various rollers and a paperguide 415 as seen in FIG. 11. Thereupon, a leading end of the papersheet 411 a is brought into abutment with and held by a chuck 412 a ofthe platen 412. As a result, when the platen 412 rotates, the papersheet 411 a is wrapped at an accurate position around the platen 412without being displaced.

[0071] Then, the head 414 is driven by the head motor 414 a so that itis brought into a contacting condition with the ribbon 413 a as shown inFIG. 12. Then, after the paper sheet 411 a wrapped around and fed by theplaten 412 comes to the position of the head 414, the head 414 is drivenbased on the image data so that ink of the ribbon 413 a is successivelytransferred to the paper sheet 411 a.

[0072] After the platen 412 is rotated until an image based on the imagedata is formed fully on the paper sheet 411 a, the head 414 is broughtout of contact with the ribbon 413 a and the platen 412 is rotated inthe opposite direction as seen in FIG. 13 to its original position.

[0073] Then, the paper sheet 411 a on which the image is formed is fedalong a discharge paper guide 416 while it is pressed down by a holdroller 412 b until it is sent into a discharge paper tray 417. Theprinting of the image onto the paper is completed by such a sequence ofoperations as described above.

[0074] As described above, after an image is acquired by the electroniccamera 2, printing of the image onto paper can be performed simply byoperation of the connection base 3.

[0075] It is to be noted that, while, in the embodiment described above,the electronic camera 2 which principally is in the form of a digitalstill camera is used, the present invention is not limited to this andcan be applied to an electronic camera which alternatively is in theform of a digital video recorder. In this instance, recorded images arereproduced by operation of the connection base 3, and the reproductionis stopped temporarily at an image to be printed. Then, the image dataat which the reproduction is stopped is transferred to the printingsection 4.

[0076] Further, while, in the embodiment described above, electricconnection between the electronic camera 2 and the connection base 3 isestablished by contact between the contact pins 3 b (refer to FIG. 6)and the contacts 5 a (refer to FIG. 6) or by means of wiring lines ofthe cable C3 (refer to FIG. 2), data may alternatively be transmitted ina wireless fashion using infrared rays or the like.

[0077] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed using specific terms, such description is for illustrativepurposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photographic apparatus, comprising: anelectronic camera for electronically acquiring an image and providingimage data; a connection base for removably connecting said electroniccamera thereto, the connection base having a function of reading outimage data from said electronic camera while said camera is connectedthereto; and a printer for acquiring the image data from said connectionbase and outputting an image based on the image data to paper.
 2. Aphotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electroniccamera compresses the electronically acquired image and the connectionbase has the additionally decompresses compressed image data read outfrom the electronic camera.
 3. A photographic apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the connection base further provides image processingon the image data read out from the electronic camera.
 4. A photographicapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection base furtherrequests that the printer perform image processing on the image dataread out from the electronic camera.
 5. A photographic apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the connection base includes inputting andoutputting means for inputting setting information and displaying a setstate, and control means for controlling image data and the inputtingand outputting section.
 6. A photographic apparatus according to claim1, wherein the electronic camera is connected to the connection basethrough an adapter having a grip.
 7. A photographic apparatus accordingto claim 6, wherein the grip of the adapter has a switch providedthereon for triggering a shutter operation of the electronic camera. 8.A photographic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adapter has abattery accommodated therein for supplying power to the electroniccamera.
 9. A photographic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein theadapter has a flash shoe provided thereon.
 10. A photographic apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the printer is a thermal sublimation typeprinter.
 11. A photographic apparatus, comprising: an electronic camerafor electronically providing image data; a printer for printing an imageonto paper; a connection base formed as a part of the printer forreceiving the electronic camera therein; and wherein the connection basereads out image data from the electronic camera while the camera isresides therein and is connected to the connection base and provides theimage data to the printer for printing an image.
 12. A photographicapparatus as in claim 11 wherein the electronic camera may also beconnected remotely to the connection base.